pixel-by-pixel- the psychology behind the Prisma phenomenon

Simple question coming up – Why Prisma? Here are some captions from the official Prisma Google App Playstore Page:

‘Turn every photo into art!‘ ‘Every photo becomes art’ This line is the most disturbing: ‘Prisma transforms your photos into artworks using the styles of famous artists: Munk, Picasso as well as world famous ornaments and patterns. A unique combination of neural networks and artificial intelligence helps you turn memorable moments into timeless art.’

OH! So all that has been standing between me and recognition of my artistic genius is a photo-editing app? There is not a *teensy* bit of reason to expect that creativity, training in the various trades/genres and sheer talent may be the barrier from me becoming the next Rembrandt. All that is required is an Application. If you have yet to recognize my stance on the latest whirlwind tech phenomenon, I don’t Prisma.

However, it is worth digging deeper into what makes Prisma so attractive to tons of people across the globe.

What could possibly be attractive about a machine imaging process that converts a real instance into a thermal image or a blurred out robot-like attempt at monochromatic watercolor painting?

Is it because we are innately and infinitely curious about how computers (inanimate machines of our making) view us? Are we so alone that any shred of apparent creativity or artistic output is enough to render further endearment to the technological beasts-of-burden?

Is this the very end of the line (I doubt it) of our narcissistical tendencies – the need to view ourselves from multiple vantages and viewpoints? When will this need quench?

Prisma photos look like (I can only imagine) when a cyborg needs to be thwapped from the side of it’s ‘head’ to adjust it’s vision. Colors bleed unnaturally.

One social media commentator was quick to call a freshly Prisma’d friend ‘gorgeous’. Gorgeous now means a modified, spray-brushed Microsoft Paint version of your likeness.

Eventually, the novelty for Prisma will, too, die off. Terminal overthinkers and worrywarts like myself will find a fresher topic to observe. What will remain is the discovery that modern day humans seek easy,swift detachment from their immediate surroundings. Preferably at the click of a button.

It can be that we are escaping further into wilful delusion, aided by games and pointless tasks like flinging round birds at klepto-pigs or collecting imaginary monsters. At least the Pokemon do not instigate full-scale coups on a Sunday morning. Apps like Prisma and Snapchat alter your facial features but you still have a passport that is recognized and country to call home.

Published by Mariam - CW

My interests most strongly lie in covering the latest and most controversial in the digital world, and also, how messily our virtual/digital/’real’ (whatever that means!) lives intersect and overlap via a variety of screens and handheld devices.
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